15 years has passed since the Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security – drawing attention to the specific needs of women and girls during conflict and recognizing their exclusion from conflict transformation. Resolution 1325 highlights women’s underestimated representation in peace processes and declare the inextricable link between gender equality and international peace and security – that no one can be without the other. This year, celebrating the fifteen year anniversary of Resolution 1325, yet again puts women, peace and security at the center core of UN. The Security Council has decided to convene a High-level Review to evaluate the progress of 1325, the Secretary-General has commissioned a global study on the implementation of Resolution 1325 and the UN is reviewing the architecture of its peace missions.
By passing through Resolution 1325, the world community committed itself to take all necessary measures needed to combat sexual violence against women and girls during times of war and to increase their participation in decisions about peace and security. This remains as vital today as it was 15 years ago. With the new trend of escalating conflicts and the changing warfare, where the interconnection between social, political and economic insecurity and the risk of humanitarian crises and conflicts are far more visible, Resolution 1325 is very much needed. The number of refugees and internally displaced persons are higher than ever and the traditional threats against peace and security have been supplemented by terrorism, violent extremism and gross human rights violations.
Since 2000, some progress has been made on the women, peace and security agenda. Six more resolutions have been adopted and the UN has established a Special Representatives of the Secretary General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and for Children and Armed Conflict. Together, these efforts further elevate the purpose of Resolution 1325. That women’s participation in all aspects and all stages of peace and security is an important contribution; that sexual violence in conflict is a threat to international security and peacebuilding; and that UN and all its member States are obligated to both empower and protect women and girls.
This year marks a significant time in the UN and may serve as an opportunity to fulfill these purposes. Not only has a new development agenda been agreed upon, linking gender equality, peace and sustainable development to each other, the resolution has received even more credit than that. The High-level review will evaluate the progress of implementation on Resolution 1325 at the global, regional and national level in order to renew commitments and address obstacles and constraints for the resolution to become reality. Moreover, the Global Study on the implementation of Resolution 1325 will highlight good examples, recognize gaps and challenges as well as analyze emerging trends and priorities for action. The result of the study will be submitted by the Secretary-General within his annual report to the Security Council and launched at the open debate on 13 October 2015.
In addition to the High-level review and the Global Study of UNSCR 1325, the UN is also reviewing the architecture of its peace operations and peace missions. These three processes together marks an invaluable opportunity to develop a holistic approach to conflict prevention, peacemaking and peace building by ensuring the inclusion of women’s leadership and participation across all stages of conflict transformation. Because one cannot be without the other – gender equality and international peace and security are two sides of the same coin.
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